Video

[runs_on_batteries]

Good evening, Voidtreckers. I'd like to announce a council meeting in three days. It's overdue and I believe we have a number of items to discuss.

Please council members take some time over the next few days to come up with and notify me of topics we need to discuss so I can prepare an agenda. If anyone who is not a council member feels strongly about a certain topic we should consider, either tell me or seek out a council member so they may relay the information.

Comments

[irrationally]

Oh, I'm so sorry. Is dealing with a seven year old below your paygrade? [ She rolls her eyes. ]

She's just curious. As all children are, especially when thrown into situations far beyond the familiar.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Not that I'm telling you to stop, but just to let you know what to expect. Question the leadership around here and the entire train will come down on you.

[runs_on_batteries]

Knock it off Edge. You only got that reaction for going after a kid.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

You forget the first time I said the leadership here was unworthy.

[runs_on_batteries]

[He rolls his eyes.]

I still met with you and was willing to discuss whatever you wanted. I even offered mediation but only Yuffie showed. Do you recall that?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

You told me I was only advocating for her position because I wanted to get in her pants.

[runs_on_batteries]

I still think that. But I offered to talk with you and her with a neutral party.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

It was her position. I spoke up for it and you made it clear my opinion was valueless. And as it happened, she didn't need my help in the negotiation, which I didn't think she would in the first place if she sat down and made her case clear. So far, the main action of the train leadership has been to take a foolish position, insult those who speak up for it, then recant their position while remaining insulting and not offering so much as an acknowledgment, let alone an apology.

But no, I'm the one in the wrong here. Which is why I offer the warning I do to those who will follow my path. Thank you for exhibiting how justified it is.

[Don't expect another response from him directly! Edge has, if nothing else, learned that he needs to get out of these arguments while the getting is good.]

[runs_on_batteries]

That's what you spoke of, but many people can debate a principle with an ulterior motives.

She did handle it fine without you, but that wasn't the point. We were able to communicate better face to face and come to a good agreement. What exactly would I need to apologize to you for? You threw a temper tantrum and she handled business like an adult. So she has my respect and a black team and you, the train has very little use for your nonsense.

[He'll happily have the last word. Thanks for shutting up!]

[mtsilver_conquor]

Actually, he's in the right, this time, Stark-San, and I do agree with him on his point, here.

A leader and the council moderator is supposed to show more maturity than this.

[irrationally]

I don't care much for questioning any leadership or anything of the sort. I just need him to not harass her.

[ Maybe a little too single-minded... ]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

That counts! Words spoken to a person who is the leader are words spoken to the leader. At least around here.

[irrationally]

You sound like you have a very personal problem with him.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

He's proven himself a poor leader.

[irrationally]

What has he done then?

[ Not like Alice pays attention to most of what goes on over here, she's got her own issues to deal with.. ]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Surrendered to fear, hardened his heart to the needs of others, and informed us he's the only one suited to take responsibility in our current predicament.

[irrationally]

Has he ordered yet for people's heads to be cut off?

[ Her standards may be so low that they're actually below the ground.

Because the rest of that doesn't sound like the kind of behaviour she expects from everyone at this point. People suck. ]

[runs_on_batteries]

[Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.]

Do you know how many children I deal with regularly?

[And one just decided she wanted to bond with a vampire cat. The other just lost his girlfriend and is a mopey pile of teenager. Another is a cranky old man even though he's also a ten year old...

But.. this hostile woman might not be completely wrong. (In fact, she was completely right, but he won't admit that much.)]

[irrationally]

[ Maybe you've just picked the wrong kids to deal with, Tony... ]

I was initially assuming none, judging by your reply to her. [ But, you know, what he's saying apparently indicates otherwise. ] In that case you should know better than to be harsh to her. She's already having difficult enough of a time as it is.

[runs_on_batteries]

[He frowns at that and takes a moment to reply.]

I didn't know. I'm sorry about that. Did she get one of the welcome bears? What's her- and your- name? I haven't met either of you.

[irrationally]

[ Give her a moment here.

Alice is very visibly doing a double take. Because, uh. Is this an adult man who can acknowledge his mistakes? Do those actually exist? By far the weirdest thing she's seen on the train.

At least it makes her answer surprisingly honest and cooperative. ]

Her name is Alice, and I believe she did. She's still new, hence why this might be your first time seeing her. The mission was tough on her, as you can imagine.

[ Hence why older Alice is particularly pouncy. ]

.. my name is Alice as well. [ Tacked on as an afterthought. ]

[runs_on_batteries]

[He waits for her to collect herself enough to answer him.]

I'm assuming you're close with her if you know about her state of mind. Please, let me know if she didn't get one and I'll make sure she does.

[He visibly glances away from the screen so he can check what team she's on for some context. Although doing so brings up something else surprising.]

You two have the same last name too.

[He looked at her curiously.]

What's your relationship to her?

[irrationally]

[ Well, at least him apologizing and doubling down on making sure she gets a bear is getting him some points with her. ]

We're the same person.

[ Look, okay, she knows that's going to sound weird to anyone else, so she adds-- ]

She's exactly like how I was at that age. Not to mention we share the exact same highly specific memories. It can't be a coincidence.

[runs_on_batteries]

I didn't know that was possible.

[That was going to take some thought.]

Think one of you might be willing to take a nickname?

[He smirked, a little humor to his tone.]

I bet she'd be a cute 'Minnie', like the term 'mini-me'.

[irrationally]

[ As straight-faced and deadpan as possible: ]

I would rather jump off the train and straight into the void than even consider the possibility of having to deal with a nickname.

That being said, you may find her liking the idea more. She's still more.. excitable.